Vending apparatus



y 1955 H. a. STONER ETAL 5 Slxets-Sheet 1 IN VEN TORS Harry B. Stoner Edwin Parr:

Robert mi 601g 35W 25- May 3, 1955 H. B. STONER ETAL 2,707,543

VENDING APPARATUS Filed May 20. 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet I I \I Inventor's Harzy B. Stoner Edwm Parre Robert gmg H. B. STONER ET AL May 3, 1955 VENDING APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 uentors rig B. Stoner Edwin Par-re.

Filed May 20, 1950 y 1955 H. B. STONER ETAI- VENDING APPARATUS 5- Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed May 20, 1950 Inventors Ha -11.; 5.5t0ner Edwin Par Rabert L. mcGa ry United States Patent VENDING APPARATUS Harry B. Stoner, Edwin Parre, and Robert L. McGary,

Aurora, Ill, assignors to Stoner Manufacturing Corporation, Aurora, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Application May 20, 1950, Serial No. 163,274

6 Claims. (Cl. 194-63) The invention relates to improvements in vending machines and is more particularly concerned with an improved machine of the character intended to contain a plurality of different kinds of merchandise selectively vendable upon manual actuation of normally locked selected ejector mechanism which is rendered actuable upon operation of a common coin-controlled mechanism.

Vending machines of the character referred to frequently have a lock plate common to all of the ejector mechanisms for normally locking said mechanisms against actuation. mechanism unlocking position upon actuation of a coincontrolled mechanism. Because of the structural and relationship characteristics of known types of lock plates and ejector mechanisms, it is not infrequent that fraudulent operation is effected during an interval when all of the ejector mechanisms are unlocked. It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide novel ejector mechanism locking means which includes individual ejector mechanism engaging elements independently retainable selectively in unlocking position following the return movement of the lock plate or master control into its initial position.

Another object is to provide, in a vending machine, a lock plate or master control with a plurality of novel yieldable locking elements arranged to coact one with each of a plurality of ejector mechanisms.

Another object is to provide a plunger and ejector mechanism with novel yieldable means establishing an operative connection therebetween.

Another object is to provide a coin-controlled mechabe deposited therein for successive operations of said mechamsm.

Other objects of the invention will appear from the following description and accompanying drawings and will be pointed out in the annexed claims.

In the accompanying drawings there has been disclosed a structure designed to carry out the various objects of the invention, but it is to be understood that the invention is not confined to the exact features shown as various changes may be made within the scope of the claims which follow.

in the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of the vending machine mechanism, the customary housing or casing having been omitted for purposes of illustration.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary end eievational view similar to Fig. 1, but showing the coin holding mechanism in a position assumed during machine operation.

Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional view, taken substantially on line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view, taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view, taken substan- Such lock plates are movable into ejector end in the back wall 13.

tially on line 5-5 of Fig. 3, showing the actuating plnnger retarded and the ejector mechanism in locked position.

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5 showing the parts in a position assumed during machine operation.

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 5, but showng the actuating plunger withdrawn while the ejector mechanism is locked.

Fig. 8 is a detail sectional view, taken on line 88 of Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view, taken substantially along line 9-9 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary elevational view of the left hand end of the machine as viewed in Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of a fragment of the lock plate showing one of the locking elements and the associated ejector mechanism.

Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the scavenger plate.

Fig. 13 is a sectional detail view, taken on line 13-13 of Fig. 1.

The vending machine mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawings is contained within a built up frame structure adapted to be mounted as a unit in a suitable casing. The frame structure consists of a pair of end walls 11, a front wall 12, a back wall 13 and a connecting floor plate 14. The end Walls 11 may be secured to the front and back walls as by means of screws 15 and said end walls extend upwardly a suitable distance beyond said floor plate 14. A plurality of merchandise racks, generally indicated at 16, is arranged between the upwardly extending portions at the end Walls 11. As best shown in Fig. 3, the merchandise racks may consist of a plurality of vertically extending longitudinally spaced partition Walls 17 secured in parallel relationship, adjacent their upper ends, by a cross plate 18 (Fig. 1), which may be spot welded or otherwise secured thereto. The lower ends of the partition walls 17 are firmly anchored in the floor plate 14 adjacent its rear edge.

The racks 16 are intended to contain merchandise to be dispensed from the machine upon manipulation of manually actuated ejector means to be described present- 1y. It might be noted that the racks 16 have a common rear wall 19 constructed from a sheet of material formed on'its lower end so as to be pivotally mounted, as at 21, to the end walls 11, whereby said rear walls 19 may be moved into the rack closing position shown in Fig. 1 or tilted rearwardly and downwardly so as to aflord access to the racks for purposes of filling the same. The bottom edge of the rear wall 19 terminates above the bottom of the racks so as to leave a discharge gap 22 at the rear side thereof. The front wall of the racks may consist of a sheet of clear Lucite 23 or other transparent material.

An ejector mechanism is provided at the lower end of each of the racks 16. Inasmuch as the ejector mechanism associated with each rack is identical in construction, only one such mechanism will be described in detail and like numerals will identify corresponding parts of each mechanism.

Each ejector mechanism includes means for manually actuating the same. As best shown in Figs. 5 through 11, such means includes a plunger 24 which projects through an opening 25 in the front wall 12 so as to be manually engaged during machine operation. The inner end of the plunger is provided with an axial bore 26 to telescopically receive a pin 27 firmly secured at its rear A washer or collar 28 is mounted loosely on the plunger 24 inwardly of its rearmost end and a compression spring 29 is mounted on said plunger with one end bearing against said washer 28 and its other end against the inside face of the front wall 12 so as to urge the plunger into the normal position illustrated in Fig. 5.

A flange 30 is provided on the rearmost end of the plunger 24. The portion of the plunger 24 between the washer 28 and flange 3% is adapted to receive thereover the tubular portion 31 formed on the lower end of a sheet metal bracket 32, which bracket includes a wall portion 33 extending upwardly therefrom and a horizontally disposed flange 34. The flange 34 has a longitudinal slot 35 opening onto its rearmost edge. This slot is provided for the reception of a depending flange 36 formed on the lower end of a slide 37, the upper end of which has a portion thereof bent substantially horizontally, as at 38. The horizontal portion 38 of slide 37 is located just below the fioor plate 14.

Upon referring to Fig. 4, it will be noted that the floor plate 14 has slots 39 one beneath each rack 16 and extending inwardly from and opening onto the back wall 13. An ejector tab 40 is arranged so as to overlie each slot 39 and said tabs are fixedly secured one to each of the underlying flanges 35 as by means of rivets 4!. extending therethrough and passing through the respective slot 39. Each tab 46 may include a face plate 4-2 (Fig. 3) of a size corresponding substantially to the cross-scctional area of the rack 16 beneath which it is disposed. A spring 43 operatively connects the bracket 32 with the slide 37 so that under normal conditions of operation the bracket and slide move in unison. Specifically, the spring 4-3 is connected at one end to an car 44 on the slide 37 and a lug 35 formed integral with the bracket 32.

It should be obvious, in so far as the construction has been described, that when a plunger 24 is manually engagged and pulled outwardly from the front wall 12, the related ejector tab 4%) is moved a corresponding distance in a direction toward the front of the machine. Such movement of the ejector tab carries the face plate 42 out from beneath the merchandise in the rack (Fig. 6), thus permitting said merchandise to be dropped downwardly onto the floor plate 14 whereupon the lowermost piece of mechandise is discharged through the gap 22 when the plunger is released.

Should sliding movement of the ejector tab 49 and face plate 42 be prevented owing to the presence of a barrier in their path, the plunger 2 may be pulled outwardly through an operating stroke without damaging the ejector mechanism. Such movement is illustrated in Fig. 7 and is permitted by the presence of the spring 43 which is sufiiciently tensioned to carry the slide 37 with the bracket 32 upon normal operation but which will permit independent movement of the bracket 32 should the slide 37 be held against such movement.

Means is provided in the present machine to afford selective actuation of but one of the plurality of plungers 24. Such means includes coin-controlled mechanism, generally indicated at 46, which will be described in detail hereinafter. The control means also includes a lock plate 47 which is spaced above the floor plate 14 and extends across the width of the vending machine. Ears 43 are provided one on each end of the lock plate 47, each of which carries a pin 49 which extends through an opening in the related end wall 11 whereby the lock plate 47 is mounted for rocking movement. The lock plate 47 is located above the ejector mechanism tabs 40 and locking elements 50 are carried by said lock plate 47, one such element being provided for each ejector tab 40.

As best illustrated in Fig. 11, each locking element 50 is loosely mounted on the lock plate 47. Because each locking element and its mounting is the same, only one will be specifically described and like numerals will identify like parts. Accordingly, the lock plate 47 has a flange 51 extending upwardly from its hingedly-mounted edge, which flange is formed with an opening 52 to receive a tongue 53 projecting into a flange-receiving slot 54 in one end of the locking element St}. In their assembled relation, this mounting constitutes an articulate connection between the two parts. The other edge of the locl: plate 47 has an upwardly and inwardly turned lip 55 which affords an abutment for the free end of a leaf inafter.

4 spring 56 firmly secured at its other end to the locking element 50. it should be obvious from the foregoing that the spring 56 normally holds the locking element 50 in face-to-face contact with the lock plate 47.

When the lock plate and locking element are in the positions shown in Figs. 5, 7 and 11, the downwardly turned fingers 58 on the free forked end of the locking element 50 rest upon the fioor plate 5.4. When in this position they lie in the path of the ejector tab 40 so as to prevent movement of said tab in one direction beyond said fingers. Means is provided, to be described presently, for rocking the lock plate 47 about its pivot 49 so as to lift the fingers 58 of the locking elements 50 into a plane above the top plane of the ejector mechanism face plate 4-2. When the lock plate and locking elements thereon are in such position, as illustrated in dotted lines in Fig. 5, the ejector mechanism can be actuated, in the absence of additional locking means, so as to carry one or all of the ejector tabs 4-9 forwardly out from beneath its related rack 16.

it is, therefore, nec ssary that the vending machine mechanism include ad .onal means to prevent ejection operation of more than one ejector mechanism when the ejector mechanisms are unlocked. Accordingly, an inverted channel 6 suitably fashioned from sheet stock, is arranged on the top face of the fioor plate 14. As best shown in Pig. 4, the channel has portions of its side walls cut-away in registering alignment. with the ejector tabs dtl so that fingers 62 on the ejector tab face plate 47. may pass therebcneath when the ejector mechanism is actuated. Each finger 6.7. is provided with a cam end surface 63 so that when a finger is advanced through the channel 63, in the manner illustrated at the right hand sid of Fig. 4, slidablc block members 6'?- arranged in said channel to normally block passage of said fingers are separated thereby. These blocks are provided in sutiicient number to substantially fill the channel 6] so that when adjacent blocks are separated by passage of a finger 62 therebetwcen the remaining blocks are jammed closely together to prevent passage of a second finger 62 therebetween. in this manner, and under normal conditions of operation, only one ejector mechanism can be actuated each time the lock plate is rocked upwardly.

It has been found that a machine having mechanical locking means in the form of blocks 64 can be fraudulently operated. A condition permitting such operation cr-(ists when the coin-controlled locking means is initially actuated to unlock the ejector mechanisms. When the vending mechanism is in such condition, an operator will grasp two piungers 24 and, by skillful timed sequential rapid reciprocation of alternate plungcrs, may clicct rcpeatcd ejection of merchandise. This can be accomplished only when manipulation of the two plungers is attended with sufficient rapidity to prevent the coincontrolled locking means from dropping into the paths of the ejector tabs Potential fraudulent operation, in the manner described hcreinabove, is effectively prevented by the present construction.

As has been noted hereinbefore, the lock plate 47 is initially moved into unlocking position to permit a selected ejector mechanism to be actuated. Rocking of the lock plate is efiectcd upon operation of the coincontrollcd mechanism 46 to be described in detail herelt is suificient to note at this time that the coincontrolled mechanism 46 includes means to hold a coin in such position as to cause it to engage the lock plate t? during initial operation only of the coin-controlled mechanism. This engagement between the coin and the lock plate constitutes the means for rocking the lock plate into unlocking position (dotted lines Fig. 5). As soon as actuation of the coin-controllcd mechanism has been effected sufficicntly to carry the coin held therein out of engagement with the lock plate 47, said lock plate drops downwardly into its original locking position.

However, inasmuch as actuation of the coin-controlled mechanism is controlled by manipulation of one of the plungers 24, in a manner to be described presently, the ejector mechanism associated with such plunger is moved into a position to locate its shoulder beyond the fingers 58 of the related locking element 50 (Fig. 6). The remaining locking elements on the lock bar 47 will, however, return to their original ejector locking positions (Figs. 5 and 7). Thus, it will be noted that only one ejector mechanism is unlocked. Consequently, fraudulent manipulation of more than one plunger 24 is effectively prevented.

The coin-controlled mechanism is best shown in Figs. 1, 2, 12 and 13. As there illustrated, it includes a coin acceptor generally indicated at 71, and a coin holder 72. The coin acceptor mechanism may be of any conventional construction, although it is preferred that it include a novel scavenger plate assembly 73, to be described in detail hereinafter. Briefly, the coin acceptor mechanism is such that when a coin is deposited in the coin chute 74, having its receiving opening in the front wall of the vending machine, said coin travels downwardly therein and is conveyed into a space 75 (Fig. 13) defined by spaced walls 76 and 77. If the coin is genuine, it will move freely past a false coin detector 78 and, upon striking a wall 79 disposed in the space 75, said coin will move downwardly laterally past a magnet 80 and into a discharge passage for deposit in a shallow recess 81 (Fig. 3) provided on the upper edge of the coin holder 72.

Should a fraudulent coin be deposited in the chute 74, it may be retarded in its passage through the coin acceptor mechanism by the false coin detector 78. For example, should an excessively thick coin or slug enter the space 75, it will become wedgingly engaged with one or the other of the pointed extremities 82 of the false coin detector, and when a washer is deposited one of said extremities 82 will engage in the center opening thereof. When a lightweight false coin or slug is inserted into the coin rejector mechanism, its passage through the mechanism will be blocked by one of the extremities 82 which will not be displaced by such coin or slug. In instances where a false metal coin of a size and shape to pass the false coin detector 78 enters the coin acceptor mechanism, said false coin may be retarded in its passage along the wall 79 by the magnet 80. In any event, only genuine coins ultimately reach the coin holder 72.

The coin holder 72 of the coin-controlled mechanism preferably consists of a plate-like structure having an arm 83 (Figs. 1 and 9) depending therefrom and oftset inwardly so as to extend through an opening 84- in the end wall 11. Its lower extremity is suitably apertured to receive therethrough a shaft 85 extending longitudinally of the casing and journalled at its ends in the end walls 11. A U-shaped strap (Fig. 9), having a longitudinally-disposed bight portion 86, has its downwardly extending end arms 87 also journalled on the shaft 85 inwardly of the end walls 11. This strap and the coincontrolled mechanism are preferably secured together, as by welding 88, or are otherwise mounted so as to move in unison.

Upon referring now to Fig. 5, the longitudinal bight portion 86 of the strap is disposed above the brackets 32. Each ejector mechanism includes a bellcrank lever 89 pivotally secured, as at 91, intermediate its ends to the respective slide 37. The lever 89 rests normally in the position illustrated in Fig. 5 with its rearwardly-disposed edge in abutting contact with a bar 92 firmly secured to the back wall 13. This abutment between the bar 92 and lever 89 holds the hook-like end portion 93 of the link elevated above the plane of the strap 86. The top edge of the lever 89 is formed with inclined surfaces 94 defining a peak 95 which projects upwardly through an opening 96 (Fig. 4) in the floor plate 14.

In operation, when a plunger 24 is pulled outwardly initially to actuate an ejector mechanism the lever 89 is carried forwardly therewith. The forward cam surface 94 thereof contacts the edge of the opening 96, whereby said link is rocked in a counter-clockwise direction about its pivot 91 to engage its hook portion 93 over the strap portion 86 (Fig. 7). The plunger 24 is thereby mechanically connected positively to the coincontrolled mechanism. Continued withdrawal of the plunger 24 carries the strap portion 86 with it through abutment by the leading edge of slide 37 and imparts counter-clockwise rotation to the coin-controlled mechanism coin holder 72 so as to carry the coin therein beneath the lock plate to raise the latter to permit complete operation of the plunger 24.

When a withdrawn plunger is released, the ejector mechanism is returned to its initial position by reason of the spring 29, thus discharging a piece of merchandise rearwardly from the rack associated therewith. The engagement of lever 89 with the strap portion 86 also insures return movement of the coin-controlled mechanism when the plunger is released. When the parts are in their initial positions, the lever 89 is disengaged from the strap portion 86 upon abutment of its rear end portion with the back wall bar 92.

Upon referring to Figs. 1 and 2, it will be noted that the coin holder 72 includes a flange 97 formed at its upper arcuate edge. This flange is arched preferably on a radius having its center coincident with the shaft 85. This construction affords means whereby two or more coins may be deposited in the coin chute 74 to permit successive operations of the vending machine. Thus, when two or more coins are deposited therein, the lowermost coin seats itself in the coin holder 72 while the remaining coin or coins are retained by said lowermost coin in the coin acceptor mechanism 71. When the coin-controlled mechanism is actuated to carry the held coin out from beneath the discharge end of the coin acceptor mechanism, the arched flange 97 moves into position beneath the said discharge end to hold the remaining coin or coins in place until the coin holder is returned to its initial position of rest, whereupon the lowermost coin will fall into the holder. It is obvious that a plurality of coins may be deposited into the machine and the above operation repeated as many times as there are coins for delivering an item.

In vending, any coin or coins retained in the coin acceptor mechanism 71, either by the false coin detector 78 or by the magnet or otherwise, may be released and discharged into a return chute when the mechanism is initially operated. This is accomplished by providing the coin-controlled mechanism with a link 98 (Figs-1 and 2), preferably pivoted at 99. The link extends across the back face of the coin holder 72 and is slidably connected therewith by means of a pin 101 carried thereby and extending through a slot 102 in the coin holder. A connecting link 103, connected at its lower end to the pin 101, extends upwardly therefrom and is connected at its upper end, as at 104, to a scavenger blade 105 including a pin 106 which projects through an arcuate slot 107 in the wall 77 of the coin acceptor mechanism. Upon initial actuation of the coin-controlled mechanism, the link 98 swings downwardly carrying the scavenger blade 105 therewith. This blade moves through the space 75 to forcibly eject any coin held therein. At the same time, the pin 106 on said scavenger blade strikes a cam surface 1% on the scavenger plate 73 to rock said plate outwardly about its pivot 109 to thereby carry the floor or flange 79 thereof out from the space 75. This permits any coin or coins dislodged by the scavenger blade 105 to drop substantially vertically into a coin return chute 110.

Motion of any one of the plungers 24 and of the ejector mechanism associated with such plunger must be completed to the end of the stroke to further prevent fraudulent manipulation of the vending machine and this may be accomplished by the mechanism best illustrated in Fig. 10. As there shown, one of the end portions 87 of the strap 86 has welded, or otherwise secured thereto, an arm 111 which extends outwardly through an opening .112 in one of the end walls 11. This strap has its free end portion extending upwardly and carries on its free end a ratchet 113. A spring .114, connected at one end, as at 115, to the arm 111 and at its other end to a pin 11.6 carried by the end wall 11, normally retains the arm 111 as well as the strap 86 connected thereto in its rcarmost position, as shown Fig. 10.

When the plunger is drawn outwardly, following the deposit of a coin in the coin holder '72., a ratchet 113 (Fig. 10) moves into engagement with a pawl 117 pivot-- ally mounted. at 1125 and normally held in the position illustrated, by springs 119. Upon such enga emcnt, the pawl is rocked in a counterclockwise direction. permitting the ratchet to pass freely therebeneath in one direction. movement of the arm 1111. Consequently, movement of the ratchet, and likewise of a plunger, must be continued in the direction initiatct'l until the ratchet pa ses out of engagement with the pawl, whereupon the pawl will assume its normal vertical position. When the t c is reversed during the return of the plunger, the pawl 117 will again be effective to prevent anything but a completed stroke for the ratchet 113 and associated parts.

Although an exemplary form of the present invention has been disclosed in the accompanying drawings and described hereinabove, it should be understood that the invention is capable of embodying a wide variety of modifications in its details of construction without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

We claim:

1. In a vending machine, a plurality of merchandise racks, ejector mechanisms individual to each rack, a pivotally mounted plate, locking elements mounted on and movable normally with the plate one lying in the path .11.

of each ejector mechanism to limit its movement in one direction, a rotatable coin-holder having a peripheral coin receiving recess, means operatively connecting each ejector mechanism with the coin-holder so that said coinholder is rotated upon initial movement of a selected ejector mechanism, said plate being rocked by a coin carried in the coin-holder as said coin passes beneath the plate during initial rotation of the coin-holder to carry the locking elements out of the paths of all of the ejector mechanisms, and means effective upon movement of the selected ejector mechanism to hold all but the selected ejector mechanism against movement. the selected ejector mechanism being effective during its operating cycle to prevent the return of the related locking element to its original locking position when the remaining locking elements return to their original locking positions when. the plate returns to its normal position after the coin moves out from beneath the lock plate.

Obviously, the pawl will prevent a reversal of the 2. In a vending machine of the character recited in claim 1, in which the locking elements are spring held.

3. In a vending machine of the character recited in claim 1, in which the locking elements normally lic fiat against the top surface of the plate.

4. In a vending machine of the character recited in claim 1, in which the plate is pivotally mounted adjacent one edge.

5. in a vending machine of the character recited in claim 1, in which the plate is spaced above the ejector mechanisms and the locking elements include depending ejector mechanism engaging fingers.

6. In a vending machine, a plurality of merchandise racks, ejector mechanisms individual to each rack, a pivotally mounted plate, locking elements mounted on and movable normally with the plate one lying in the path of each ejector mechanism to limit its movement in one direction, a coin-holder having a coin receiving recess. means operatively connecting each ejector mechanism with the coin holder so that said coin-holder is moved upon initial movement of a selected ejector mechanism, said plate being rocked by a coin carried in the coin-holder as said coin passes beneath the plate during initial movement of the coin-holder to carry the locking elements out of the paths of all of the ejector mechanisms, and means effective upon movement of the selected ejector mechanism to hold all but the selected ejector mechanism against movement, the selected ejector mechanism being effective during its operating cycle to prevent the return of the related locking element to its original locking position when the remaining locking elements return to their original locked positions when the plate returns to its position after the coin moves out from beneath the lock plate.

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